Methods, Systems, and Computer-Readable Media for Targeted Distribution of Digital On-Screen Graphic Elements

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for presenting targeted digital on-screen graphics are described. A content originator, such as an advertiser or media network operator, may specify targeted segments and/or targeted digital on-screen graphics to be presented to one or more viewers of an available audience. The expected presentation of a digital on-screen graphic on a content presentation device associated with targeted segments may be detected. A target digital on-screen graphic may be transmitted or otherwise made available to the content presentation device. The targeted digital on-screen graphic may be displayed instead of or overlaying at least a portion of the original digital on-screen graphic, such that all or a portion of the original digital on-screen graphic is substituted by the target digital on-screen graphic.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/731,956, filed Jun. 5, 2015, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/008,055, entitled “Method and System toEnable Targeted TV Program Promotion Graphics,” filed on Jun. 5, 2014,the contents of both of which are incorporated by reference in theirentirety as if fully set forth herein.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the targeted distribution ofcontent to consumers and, more specifically, to determining thepresentation of digital on-screen graphics on content presentationdevices, such as a television, and overlaying the digital on-screengraphics with targeted digital on-screen graphics.

BACKGROUND

The use of digital on-screen graphics have experienced widespreadadoption and use by media network operators. A typical digital on-screengraphic includes a digital graphical element embedded in or overlaid ona main content offering, such as a television program (commonly referredto as a “bug”). Initially, digital on-screen graphics were used bybroadcast television network providers to identify the particularnetwork. For example, broadcast television networks may include adigital on-screen graphic in the form of symbol or name of the networkoverlaid over a portion of the main content offering, such as theportion displayed on the lower-right corner of a television screen.Eventually, digital on-screen graphics evolved to include promotionalcontent, animated graphics, and video.

In general, such digital on-screen graphics represent a form ofpermanent visual identification that aims to increase brand recognitionof the networks and their programming. Digital on-screen graphics aregenerally displayed within the context of the programming and alsooperate to identify the source of programming and promoted programs evenwhen the content is viewed on a time-shifted basis, such as contentrecorded using a personal video recorder (for example, a PVR or DVR).

Conventional technology used to generate and air digital on-screengraphics embeds the graphics within the play-out stream, delivering thesame graphics to all viewers exposed to the program within which theyare embedded. Accordingly, digital on-screen graphics can only betargeted to reach the audience watching the program such that it is notpossible to target specific subsets of viewers of the program.Therefore, media network operators and advertisers are not able to usedigital on-screen graphics to efficiently and effectively targetspecific types of viewers. Advertisers and media network operators arenot able to minimize the use of graphics that are not effective forcertain portions of the audience, for example, network programpromotions that do not materially impact the viewing among certain typesof viewers. In addition, conventional technology does not provideeffective techniques for targeting promotions through digital on-screengraphics to viewers that are more likely to be interested in thepromoted material, such as watching a particular promoted program.Accordingly, media network operators and advertisers would benefit frommethods that would enable digital on-screen graphics to be targeted tospecific audience portions based on characteristics of the viewers.

SUMMARY

This disclosure is not limited to the particular systems, devices andmethods described, as these may vary. The terminology used in thedescription is for the purpose of describing the particular versions orembodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope.

In an embodiment, a system for distributing targeted on-screen graphicsmay include a processor and a non-transitory, computer-readable storagemedium in operable communication with the processor. Thecomputer-readable storage medium may contain one or more programminginstructions that, when executed, cause the processor to receive targetinformation associated with a plurality of content presentation devices,receive campaign information indicating a targeted on-screen graphic topresent to at least one target device selected from the plurality ofcontent presentation devices based on the target information, receiveexpected presentation information indicating an expected presentation ofan original on-screen graphic at the at least one target device, andgenerate targeted presentation information configured to trigger thetargeted on-screen graphic to be presented at the at least one targetdevice during a duration that corresponds with the expected presentationsuch that the targeted on-screen graphic is visible via a display deviceof the target device and at least a portion of the original on-screengraphic is not visible via the display device.

In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method for distributingtargeted on-screen graphics may include, by a processor, receivingtarget information associated with a plurality of content presentationdevices, receiving campaign information indicating a targeted on-screengraphic to present to at least one target device selected from theplurality of content presentation devices based on the targetinformation, receiving expected presentation information indicating anexpected presentation of an original on-screen graphic element at the atleast one target device, and generating targeted presentationinformation configured to trigger the targeted on-screen graphic elementto be presented at the at least one target device during a duration thatcorresponds with the expected presentation such that the targetedon-screen graphic element is visible via a display device of the targetdevice and at least a portion of the original on-screen graphic elementis not visible via the display device.

In an embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium havingcomputer-readable program code configured to distribute targetedon-screen graphics may include computer-readable program code configuredto receive target information associated with a plurality of contentpresentation devices, computer-readable program code configured toreceive campaign information indicating a targeted on-screen graphic topresent to at least one target device selected from the plurality ofcontent presentation devices based on the target information,computer-readable program code configured to receive expectedpresentation information indicating an expected presentation of anoriginal on-screen graphic at the at least one target device, andcomputer-readable program code configured to generate targetedpresentation information configured to trigger the targeted on-screengraphic to be presented at the at least one target device during aduration that corresponds with the expected presentation such that thetargeted on-screen graphic is visible via a display device of the targetdevice and at least a portion of the original on-screen graphic is notvisible via the display device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative graphic management system according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 2 depicts a flow diagram of presenting a target graphic at acontent presentation device according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3 depicts a flow diagram for an illustrative method of presenting atarget graphic according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram of illustrative internal hardware thatmay be used to contain or implement program instructions according to anembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In this disclosure, where an element or component is said to be includedin and/or selected from a list of recited elements or components, itshould be understood that the element or component can be any one of therecited elements or components and can be selected from a groupconsisting of two or more of the recited elements or components.Further, it should be understood that elements and/or features of acomposition, an apparatus, a system, and/or a method described hereincan be combined in a variety of ways without departing from the spiritand scope of the present teachings, whether explicit or implicit herein.

The use of the terms “include,” “includes,” “including,” “have,” “has,”or “having” should be generally understood as open-ended andnon-limiting unless specifically stated otherwise. As used in thisdocument, the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to.”

The use of the singular herein includes the plural (and vice versa)unless specifically stated otherwise. Moreover, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include plural forms unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise. In addition, where the use of the term “about” is before aquantitative value, the present teachings also include the specificquantitative value itself, unless specifically stated otherwise.

It should be understood that the order of steps or order for performingcertain actions is immaterial so long as the present teachings remainoperable. Moreover, two or more steps or actions may be conductedsimultaneously.

The terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describingthe particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended tolimit the scope.

The described technology generally relates to systems, methods, andcomputer readable media for presenting targeted digital on-screengraphics to viewers. A digital on-screen graphic may generally includeany type of graphical object that may be embedded in, overlaid over, orotherwise displayed with a primary content offering. For example, adigital on-screen graphic may include a symbol of a broadcast networkoverlaid over a portion of a broadcasted television program (i.e., theprimary content offering) (commonly referred to as a “bug”). In anotherexample, a digital on-screen graphic may include a banner displayed overa portion of the television screen during a presentation of a televisionprogram, movie, or other content offering. The digital on-screen graphicmay include various forms of content (or “graphical elements”),including, without limitation, video, animation, text, pictures, audio,and any combination thereof. The digital on-screen graphic may beembedded in, overlaid over, displayed in, or otherwise presented incombination with the primary content offering using techniques known tothose having ordinary skill in the art. For instance, the digitalon-screen graphic may be formed as part of the television networkplay-out stream for the primary content offering.

In some embodiments, a digital on-screen graphic management system(“graphic management system” or “management system”) may be configuredto facilitate, implement, support, trigger, effectuate, or otherwisecause targeted on-screen digital graphics (or “targeted graphics”) to bepresented to targeted portions of an available audience (“targets”). Thegraphic management system may be configured to, among other things,execute a digital on-screen graphic management application (“graphicmanagement application” or “management application”) configured toperform various functions described according to some embodiments hereinto cause the targeted graphics to be presented to the target audienceportion. In some embodiments, the management application may accessinformation for determining which portion of an audience are targets fora targeted graphic. In some embodiments, the management application maygenerate and/or receive target information associated with an audienceand/or content presentation devices thereof that includes data about theaudience, such as demographic information, content interactionpreferences and/or history (i.e., television content viewing history),or the like. In some embodiments, the graphic management application maybe executed by the management system, content presentation devices,and/or computing devices associated with a service provider and/orcontent originator.

In some embodiments, the management application may generate and/orreceive expected presentation information to determine an expectedpresentation of a digital on-screen graphic within a primary contentoffering that was originally scheduled to be aired, for example, by amedia network operator (a “original digital on-screen graphic” or“original graphic”). In some embodiments, the management application maygenerate and/or receive targeted presentation information that may beused by the management application, a service provide, and/or a contentpresentation device to cause the targeted graphic to be viewed by thetargets instead of the original graphic. For example, the managementapplication may cause at least a portion of the targeted graphic to bevisible to the targets and at least a portion of the original graphic tonot be visible to the targets. In some embodiments, the targeted graphicmay replace all or some of the original graphic, for instance, in abroadcast stream. In some embodiments, the targeted graphic may beoverlaid over at least a portion of the original graphic, therebyblocking a viewer from seeing the at least a portion of the originalgraphic.

Although advertisers and advertising content may be used in examples inthis disclosure, embodiments are not so limited, as any type and form ofcontent capable of operating according to embodiments is contemplatedherein.

Content may generally include any type of data, information, media,graphics, visible elements, or the like that may be expressed through amedium. Illustrative mediums may include visual mediums such astelevision, and broadcast, cable, satellite, and/or network (e.g., theInternet) or streaming forms thereof. Examples of content may include,but are not limited to, video, audio, movies, video games, televisionand radio programs, commercials, websites, images, photographs, text,electronic or digital documents, information feeds, streaming media,social media, social networks, and/or combinations thereof. In someembodiments, content may include an advertisement, such as a televisionadvertisement or an online advertisement including, without limitation,website advertisements, Internet advertisements, search engine marketing(SEM), social media marketing, and mobile device advertising. A digitalon-screen graphic may include content. For example, a digital on-screengraphic may be formed from graphic elements (i.e., pictures, images),video, text, or the like. In general, a digital on-screen graphic mayinclude a particular form of content that is presented along with aprimary content offering.

The content may be distributed or broadcast by a service provider tovarious content presentation devices, with or without digital on-screengraphics. A service provider may generally include any type of entity orstructure capable of providing content assets to a content presentationdevice. For instance, the service provider may include a media networkoperator, a television broadcast network, a cable television network, asatellite television network, an internet service provider (ISP), acomputing device advertising network, a media distribution network, acloud computing network, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network(WAN), a terrestrial network, a mobile network, and/or any combinationthereof. Television networks may include standard definition (SD) andhigh definition (HD) networks.

In some embodiments, the management system may be configured to operateacross physical device platforms, networks, and/or service providerssimultaneously. For example, content and digital on-screen graphics maybe managed by the management system in association with set-top-boxesover a cable television system, mobile computing devices using standardnetwork communication protocols (for instance, Ethernet or Wi-Fi) overan Internet service provider network, and/or to smart phone devices orother mobile computing devices over standard telecommunication protocols(for instance, 3G, 4G, LTE, or the like).

A content presentation device may generally include any device now knownto those having ordinary skill in the art or developed in the futurethat is capable of presenting content to a viewer or other type ofcontent consumer. Non-limiting examples of content presentation devicesinclude televisions, smart televisions, laptops, personal digitalassistants (PDAs), tablet computing devices, smartphones, personalcomputers (PCs), display monitors or terminals, radios, audio devices,speakers, headphones, haptic devices, electronic reading devices(“e-readers”), light emitting diode (LED) devices, organic LED (OLED)devices, wearable screens, set-top-boxes, satellite receivers,video-on-demand (VOD) receivers, content receivers (e.g., Apple TV®manufactured by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., United States; Roku®manufactured by Roku, Inc. of Saratoga, Calif., United States), digitalvideo recorders (DVRs), personal video recorders (PVRs), hard drives,flash drives, storage servers, digital video disc (DVD) devices,Blu-ray™ devices, or the like. A recipient, viewer, audience member, orthe like may generally include an individual viewing, watching,listening to, consuming, recording, streaming, or otherwise interactingwith content using a content presentation device.

A content originator may include any entity capable of providing contentand/or digital on-screen graphics. A content originator may include anytype of content developer known to those having ordinary skill in theart, such as an advertiser, an advertising agency, a television studioor broadcast network, a radio channel, a website provider, a VODservice, a content storage and delivery service, or the like.

In some embodiments, a content originator may generate campaigninformation relating to an advertising schedule or campaign, campaigngoals, and/or campaign restraints. A campaign may generally refer to oneor more content presentations (e.g., “creatives”) related to aparticular product, service, content offering, and/or generally relatedby a common idea or theme. For instance, an advertiser may define atarget audience along with a target level of viewership over a specifiedperiod of time. In addition, an advertiser may set constraints againstwhere or when their advertisement content assets may be distributed (or“play out”). For example, an advertiser may not want an advertisement toplay out on children's' networks, overnight, or in a specific market orzone. An advertiser may be an external advertiser or may be a serviceprovider promoting programming or other products. Goals may be definedusing various types of goals known in the art, such as a target numberof impressions against a specific audience (for example, 1,000,000impressions from adults age 18-49) for a specific time period (forexample, a campaign set to run over a two-week period). Goals may bestated in terms of measurable viewership metrics that can be used ascollected to adjust goals over the course of the campaign. In an examplehaving a 1,000,000 impressions goal over a two-week campaign, if afterthe first week, 200,000 impressions had been delivered, the goal for thesecond week would be 800,000 impressions.

In some embodiments, the management system may enable the targeting ofdigital on-screen graphics based on specific viewer criteria (i.e.,target information) and related programming context. For example, pastand/or current device level viewing related information may be used bythe management system to cause the presentation of digital on-screengraphics that are more relevant to a viewer as well as more efficientand effective for service providers and/or content originators, such astelevision program marketers and other types of advertisers. Inaddition, the management system may enable the timely use of digitalon-screen graphics associated with time-shifted viewing, such asvideo-on-demand (VOD) or digital video recorders (i.e., PVRs, DVRs, orthe like). For example, the management application may be configured toreplace original graphics with targeted graphics or more recentnon-targeted digital on-screen graphics (“updated graphics”) intime-shifted content.

In some embodiments, the presentation of targeted graphics may involvethe use of device-level viewing data associated with unique identifiersof the content presentation devices (“device identifiers”). In someembodiments, the device identifiers may include hashed, encrypted, orotherwise processed content process device identifiers. In this manner,the management system may be able to target viewers without using anypersonally identifiable information (PII), for example, to ensure properconsumer-privacy compliance. Device-level viewing data may be used toclassify content presentation devices according to variouscharacteristics, such as prior viewers of programs and genres within atime-frame, or even current viewers of a specific program or genre. Forexamples, a television that has tuned into sports-related programmingmay be classified as having an interest in sports. In another example, amobile computing device used to stream on-demand video content relatingto action movies may be classified as having an interest in actionmovies.

In some embodiments, detection of device-level exposure of primarycontent offerings associated with the presentation of digital on-screengraphics may include determining which content has been viewed by acontent presentation device and matching that information with whichcontent has been associated with digital on-screen graphics. In someembodiments, detection of device-level exposure of primary contentofferings may be implemented using automated content recognition (ACR)of the underlying program and the related expected timing of the digitalon-screen graphic(s) relative to the related program timing on a contentpresentation device. In some embodiments, the expected timing associatedwith each presentation of a digital on-screen graphic may be derivedfrom graphic presentation information provided by a service providerrelating to the presentation of digital on-screen graphics. For example,the graphic presentation information may include an integrated play-outsystem log file that generates a record of all individual video andgraphics that are composited to form part of a television networkplay-out stream.

In some embodiments using ACR, the detected automated contentrecognition of the program is used to determine the device-level timingrelative to the expected on-air distribution feed. In some embodiments,the ACR component may be operative on a content presentation device. Insome embodiments, the ACR component may be operative on a computingdevice associated with the management system and/or a service provider.Once the device-level timing for the program is determined, the expectedtiming of the digital on-screen graphic(s) may be used to trigger adevice-level overlay of the target graphic to appear just before theoriginal graphic. The target graphic overlay may remain visible duringthe expected duration of the original graphic, essentially covering atleast a portion of the original graphic, so that the viewer is exposedto the targeted graphic overlay. The targeted graphic overlay may beused to deliver a targeted graphic that is associated with a particularprogram promotion aimed at a specific set of target viewers. Forexample, for promotion of an upcoming basketball game, a targetedgraphic overlay may be shown to those content presentation devices thathave been classified as having an interest in watching basketball,regardless of what program they are currently viewing.

In some embodiments, a campaign management application may be used fordefining, planning, and measuring campaigns involving targeted graphics.The campaign management application may allow users, such as advertisersand marketers, to define viewer target segments based on past or presentviewing behavior, as well as to associate specific targeted graphicoverlays to any given segment for a campaign, such as a programpromotion campaign. The campaign management application may also delivertimely information regarding the relative effectiveness of using digitalon-screen graphics to drive program viewing, either stand alone or inconjunction with the use of other forms of program promotion, including,without limitation, on-air, cross-channel and paid program promotion adsand digital, social and other forms of related program promotion. Insome embodiments, the campaign management application may be incommunication with the management application. In some embodiments, thecampaign management application is a component, module, program, orother element of the management application.

The methods and systems described according to some embodiments can beused with a variety of digital on-screen graphics used to promoteprogram viewing, including but not limited to, exposures on lineartelevision viewing, time-shifted television viewing via VOD and/or PVRs,online or streaming video using mobile computing devices, for example,when viewing takes place on devices enabled with the ability to detectthe exposure of programming associated with digital on-screen graphics.Although linear television programming may be used in examples herein,embodiments are not so limited as any type of content presentationand/or consumption capable of operating according to some embodiments iscontemplated herein.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative graphic management system according tosome embodiments. As shown in FIG. 1, a service provider 105 may beconfigured to distribute content to various content presentation devices160 a-n. For example, the service provider 105 may be a cable televisionprovider configured to distribute television programs and advertisementsto subscriber set-top boxes 160 d and/or televisions 160 e and/or tostream VOD content to mobile computing devices 160 a, 160 n and smartphones 160 b. The service provider 105 may include service providercomputing devices 110 a-n and may be in communication with serviceprovider databases 115, which may include one or more of targetinformation, campaign information, digital on-screen graphic content,expected presentation information, targeted presentation information. Insome embodiments, the service provider databases 115 may includethird-party databases, such as content databases and/or audienceinformation.

The service provider 105 may be in communication with a contentoriginator 140, such as an advertiser. In some embodiments, the serviceprovider 105 may include and/or may be a content originator 140 (forexample, when promoting service provider 105 content). The contentoriginator 140 may include and/or have access to content originatorcomputing devices 145, such as a server computing device, contentoriginator content 150 and/or campaign information 155. In someembodiments, the content 150 may include a digital on-screen graphic. Insome embodiments, the content 150 may include content that may be usedto generate a digital on-screen graphic.

The content originator 140 may transmit content 150 and/or campaigninformation 155 to the service provider 105. The campaign information155 may indicate which content is to be targeted to the contentpresentation devices 160 a-n. For example, the campaign information 155may specify that certain content 150 is to be presented to contentpresentation devices 160 a-n associated with certain characteristics,such as location information, demographic information, preferences, typeof content presentation device, and/or historical viewing patterns (forinstance, interest in sports programming, regularly watch one or moreparticular programs, or the like). In some embodiments, the serviceprovider 105 may generate and/or provide the content 150 based on thecampaign information 155.

A management system 130 may be in communication with the contentprovider 105 and may include management system computing devices 135a-n, such as server computing devices configured to store informationand/or perform functions described according to some embodiments herein.Although the management system 130 is depicted as being a component ofthe service provider 105 in FIG. 1, embodiments are not so limited, asthe management system may be a separate component. In some embodiments,the content presentation devices 160 a-n may include and/or be amanagement system 130, for example, executing the graphic managementapplication.

The management system 130 may be configured to determine the expectedpresentation information, for example, based on information receivedfrom and/or detected from the content presentation devices 160 a-n. Forinstance, the content presentation devices 160 a-n may be configured todetect the content being presented thereon, such as through the use ofACR and/or by monitoring accessed content (for instance, using programguide information, VOD information, metadata associated with thecontent, data streaming information, or the like).

The management application 130 may use the campaign information todetermine which of the content presentation devices 160 a-n are targetedfor a particular target graphic. In some embodiments, the target graphicmay be generated by the service provider 105, the content originator140, and/or the management system 130. In some embodiments, the targetgraphic may be generated by the content presentation devices 160 a-n,for example, using content stored therein and/or received thereby. Insome embodiments, the target graphic and/or portions thereof may begenerated based on the original graphic, for example, to correspond tothe original graphic. For instance, to ensure that the target graphiccompletely covers or overlays the original graphic. In some embodiments,the target graphic may not completely cover the original graphic, butmay only overlay or replace a portion thereof. For example, the targetgraphic may only replace a relevant portion of an original graphic forthe advertiser's or marketer's purposes, such as time information,images, or the like, instead of overlaying an entire original graphic.

The management system 130 may determine and/or receive expectedpresentation information indicating an expected presentation of anoriginal graphic at a target content presentation device 160 a-n. Theexpected presentation information may be based on, for example, timinginformation relating to the display time and/or duration of an originalgraphic within a primary content offering being displayed on a contentpresentation device 160 a-n. For instance, the expected presentationinformation may specify that television 160 e is watching televisionprogram A and/or network B and graphic presentation information mayindicate that an original graphic having certain dimensions (“graphicdimensions”) will be displayed during Program A and/or on network B at acertain location (“graphic location”) on the screen from time x to timey (“graphic duration”). In another example, television program promotiongraphic “A” that promotes program “X” is scheduled to air within program“Y” at “Z” minutes/seconds into the program with a scheduled duration of“N” minutes/seconds.

The management system 130 may generate targeted presentation informationconfigured to trigger the targeted graphic to be presented at the targetdevice during some or all of the graphic duration such that a viewer ofthe target device may see the target graphic instead of or along withall or a portion of the original graphic.

FIG. 2 depicts a flow diagram of presenting a target graphic at acontent presentation device according to some embodiments. As shown inFIG. 2, a content presentation device 225 may be presenting content 240.A content detection component 235, which may be or may include an ACRcomponent, may detect which particular content 240 and/or which timepoint of the content is being presented via the content presentationdevice 225 (“content presentation information”). The management system215 may receive the content presentation information and may accessgraphic presentation information 245 to generate expected presentationinformation 237 for the display of an original graphic. The managementsystem 215 may access target information 250 to obtain and/or generatetarget graphic 255. A target graphic 255 a may be selected based oncampaign information 260 and the target information 250. The targetgraphic may be transmitted to the content presentation device 225, forinstance within a network broadcast stream, to be presented as a digitalon-screen graphic during the presentation of the content 240. In someembodiments, the management system 215 may trigger the presentation ofthe target graphic to be displayed on the content presentation device225 by generating and/or transmitting targeted presentation information(for example, via a message) to the content presentation device 225. Insome embodiments, the management system 215 may transmit the message toa service provider or other system that may relay the message to thecontent presentation device 225.

FIG. 3 depicts a flow diagram for an illustrative method of presenting atarget graphic according to some embodiments. Viewers may be segmented305, for example, through the use of device-level viewing data toclassify viewers (or content presentation devices of viewers). Forinstance, viewers may be classified as viewers of programs and genres,such as within a particular time frame. In some embodiments, the viewersmay be identified according to the unique device identifier of theircontent presentation device. In this manner, PII may not be required. Insome embodiments, the device identifiers may include unique hasheddevice identifiers. In some embodiments, the resulting classificationsmay be allow for the segmentation of an available audience into targetviewer segments.

A campaign may be defined 310, for example, a campaign may be set up fortargeted on graphics by specifying related graphics associated with thepromotion of a specific program and/or product and relating the targetedgraphics to the target viewer segments. Exposures to original graphicsmay be detected 315. In some embodiments, ACR may be used to detect theunderlying program associated with the timing of digital on-screengraphic(s) relative to the related program timing on any individualenabled device to trigger the potential use of a targeted device-levelon-screen graphic overlay. Target graphics may be targeted 320 toviewers. For example, in some embodiments, the delivery of targeteddevice-level on-screen graphic overlays may be executed based on thecampaign specific instructions as to which graphics are to be deliveredto which devices associated with specific viewer segments, andpotentially date/time and/or programming context conditions (forexample, previously watched programs, content consumption duration, typeof device, or the like).

Analytics may be performed 325 relating to the target graphics. In someembodiments, the management system, the content originator, and/or theservice provider may conduct a series of analytics to provide contextfor the targeted graphics, assess the level of exposure and conversionto program viewing, and generate relevant report metrics. Such analyticsmay include how many devices were exposed to any given targeted graphicas well as those related to the same program promotion campaign, howmany times and the related timing that each device was exposed to thetargeted graphics associated with any given campaign, what proportion ofthe devices that detected viewing of the targeted promoted program wereexposed to targeted graphics for the related program promotion campaign,as well as the corresponding program viewing conversion rates forvarious subsets of types, frequencies and timing of exposure to targetedon-screen graphics for the each program promotion campaign. Additionalanalytics may include a comparison of the relative effectiveness ofusing targeted graphics relative to original graphics, for example, interms of related impact on program viewing.

Reports relating to the targeted graphics and/or the analytics may bedelivered 330, for example, to the content originator and/or the serviceprovider. For instance, reports may be delivered via physical orelectronic means the relevant reporting information associated with theprogram viewing or other marketing (for example, product sales) impactof the targeted graphics.

FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram of exemplary internal hardware that maybe used to contain or implement program instructions, such as themodules and/or process steps discussed above in reference to FIGS. 1-3.A bus 400 serves as the main information highway interconnecting theother illustrated components of the hardware. CPU 405 is the centralprocessing unit of the system, performing calculations and logicoperations required to execute a program. CPU 405 is an exemplaryprocessing device, computing device or processor as such terms are usingin this disclosure. Read only memory (ROM) 410 and random access memory(RAM) 415 constitute exemplary memory devices.

A controller 420 interfaces with one or more optional memory devices 425to the system bus 400. These memory devices 425 may include, forexample, an external or internal DVD drive, a CD ROM drive, a harddrive, flash memory, a USB drive or the like. As indicated previously,these various drives and controllers are optional devices.

Program instructions, software or interactive modules may be stored inthe ROM 410 and/or the RAM 415. Optionally, the program instructions maybe stored on a tangible computer readable medium such as a compact disk,a digital disk, flash memory, a memory card, a USB drive, an opticaldisc storage medium, such as a Blu-ray™ disc, and/or other recordingmedium.

An optional display interface 430 may permit information from the bus400 to be displayed on the display 435 in audio, visual, graphic oralphanumeric format. Communication with external devices may occur usingvarious communication ports 440. An exemplary communication port 440 maybe attached to a communications network, such as the Internet or anintranet. Other exemplary communication ports 440 may comprise a serialport, a RS-232 port, and a RS-485 port.

The hardware may also include an interface 445 which allows for receiptof data from input devices such as a keyboard 450 or other input device455 such as a mouse, a joystick, a touch screen, a remote control, apointing device, a video input device, and/or an audio input device.

Computer program logic implementing all or part of the functionalitypreviously described herein may be embodied in various forms, including,but in no way limited to, a source code form, a computer executableform, and various intermediate forms (for example, forms generated by anassembler, compiler, linker, or locator). Source code may include aseries of computer program instructions implemented in any of variousprogramming languages (e.g., an object code, an assembly language, or ahigh-level language such as Fortran, C, C++, JAVA, or HTML) for use withvarious operating systems or operating environments. The source code maydefine and use various data structures and communication messages. Thesource code may be in a computer executable form (e.g., via aninterpreter), or the source code may be converted (e.g., via atranslator, assembler, or compiler) into a computer executable form.

The computer program may be fixed in a non-transitory form (for example,a source code form, a computer executable form, an intermediate form, orcombinations thereof) in a tangible storage medium, such as asemiconductor memory device (e.g., a RAM, ROM, PROM, EEPROM, orFlash-Programmable RAM), a magnetic memory device (e.g., a diskette orfixed disk), an optical memory device (e.g., a CD-ROM), a PC card (e.g.,PCMCIA card), or other memory device. The computer program may be fixedin any form in a signal that is transmittable to a computer using any ofvarious communication technologies, including, but in no way limited to,analog technologies, digital technologies, optical technologies,wireless technologies (e.g., Bluetooth), networking technologies, andinternetworking technologies. The computer program may be distributed inany form as a removable storage medium with accompanying printed orelectronic documentation (e.g., shrink-wrapped software), preloaded witha computer system (e.g., on system ROM or fixed disk), or distributedfrom a server or electronic bulletin board over the communication system(e.g., the Internet or World Wide Web).

Hardware logic (including programmable logic for use with a programmablelogic device) implementing all or part of the functionality previouslydescribed herein may be designed using traditional manual methods, ormay be designed, captured, simulated, or documented electronically usingvarious tools, such as Computer Aided Design (CAD), a hardwaredescription language (e.g., VHDL or AHDL), or a PLD programming language(e.g., PALASM, ABEL, or CUPL).

It will further be appreciated that the above-described methods andprocedures may be provided using the systems disclosed herein, or onother types of systems. The methods and procedures, unless expresslylimited, are not intended to be read to require particular actors orsystems performing particular elements of the methods.

In the preceding specification, the present invention has been describedwith reference to specific example embodiments thereof. It will,however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be madethereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of thepresent invention. The description and drawings are accordingly to beregarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.

1. A method comprising: determining at least one targeted on-screengraphic, of a plurality of targeted on-screen graphics, to be output onat least one user device, wherein the at least one targeted on-screengraphic is determined based on information indicative of a viewinghistory associated with the at least one user device; and causing, at apredetermined time during output of content on the user device, the atleast one targeted on-screen graphic to overlay at least a portion ofanother on-screen graphic output with the content such that the at leastone targeted on-screen graphic is visible and obscures the at least aportion of the another on-screen graphic.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the at least one targeted on-screen graphic overlays the anotheron-screen graphic such that the at least one targeted on-screen graphicis visible and the another on-screen graphic is not visible.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the plurality of targeted on-screen graphicsare associated with a campaign associated with a plurality of userdevices.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one targetedon-screen graphic is further determined based on target informationassociated with a plurality of user devices.
 5. The method of claim 4,wherein the target information comprises one or more unique identifiersassociated with one or more of the plurality of user devices.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the at least one targeted on-screen graphicis further determined based on information indicative of an advertisingeffectiveness associated with the at least one targeted on-screengraphic.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the user device comprises atleast one of a television, a set-top box, a display monitor, a personalvideo recorder, a hard drive, or a content receiver.
 8. An apparatuscomprising: one or more processors; and memory storing instructionsthat, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatusto: determine at least one targeted on-screen graphic, of a plurality oftargeted on-screen graphics, to be output on at least one user device,wherein the at least one targeted on-screen graphic is determined basedon information indicative of a viewing history associated with the atleast one user device; and cause, at a predetermined time during outputof content on the user device, the at least one targeted on-screengraphic to overlay at least a portion of another on-screen graphicoutput with the content such that the at least one targeted on-screengraphic is visible and obscures the at least a portion of the anotheron-screen graphic.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least onetargeted on-screen graphic overlays the another on-screen graphic suchthat the at least one targeted on-screen graphic is visible and theanother on-screen graphic is not visible.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8,wherein the plurality of targeted on-screen graphics are associated witha campaign associated with a plurality of user devices.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one targeted on-screengraphic is further determined based on target information associatedwith a plurality of user devices.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, whereinthe target information comprises one or more unique identifiersassociated with one or more of the plurality of user devices.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one targeted on-screengraphic is further determined based on information indicative of anadvertising effectiveness associated with the at least one targetedon-screen graphic.
 14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the user devicecomprises at least one of a television, a set-top box, a displaymonitor, a personal video recorder, a hard drive, or a content receiver.15. A computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed,cause: determining at least one targeted on-screen graphic, of aplurality of targeted on-screen graphics, to be output on at least oneuser device, wherein the at least one targeted on-screen graphic isdetermined based on information indicative of a viewing historyassociated with the at least one user device; and causing, at apredetermined time during output of content on the user device, the atleast one targeted on-screen graphic to overlay at least a portion ofanother on-screen graphic output with the content such that the at leastone targeted on-screen graphic is visible and obscures the at least aportion of the another on-screen graphic.
 16. The computer-readablemedium of claim 15, wherein the at least one targeted on-screen graphicoverlays the another on-screen graphic such that the at least onetargeted on-screen graphic is visible and the another on-screen graphicis not visible.
 17. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, whereinthe plurality of targeted on-screen graphics are associated with acampaign associated with a plurality of user devices.
 18. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the at least one targetedon-screen graphic is further determined based on target informationassociated with a plurality of user devices.
 19. The computer-readablemedium of claim 18, wherein the target information comprises one or moreunique identifiers associated with one or more of the plurality of userdevices.
 20. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the atleast one targeted on-screen graphic is further determined based oninformation indicative of an advertising effectiveness associated withthe at least one targeted on-screen graphic.